-The Mets rebounded with a 6-3 win over the Phillies thanks to Jose Reyes game breaking three-run homer in the home sixth off reliever Ryan Madson grabbing a share of the division lead with the rubber match this afternoon on Kids Day with Oliver Perez opposing Jamie Moyer. Twice, the Phils rallied from early deficits against John Maine, getting back-to-back homers from Shane Victorino and Geoff Jenkins plus a Jimmy Rollins RBI double. Maine settled down to go seven permitting just the three runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts for his ninth victory- first since June 25 versus Seattle.
The Mets got a lift from closer Billy Wagner, who returned from a stiff shoulder after a night off retiring his former team in order for his 25th save in 31 chances. Met fans who might get a little nervous when he takes the mound for the ninth, please not what tonight’s hero Reyes said of the veteran:

“He makes it easy.”

As for Billy The Kid, he was happy to get back out there despite some aching:

“Of course you feel it, but I was able to stick with it. If I can compete, I’ll be out there. The training crew, they deserve a lot of this credit. They were fantastic. They deserve a lot of the credit just to get me out there.”

Nice to see the chatty lefty who’s closed out 383 games pay due respect to the trainers as they play a key role in any locker room.

If the Amazin’s can get today’s game which starts a little after 12, that will be four consecutive series from their nemesis. It should be fun to see what happens.

-Props to second baseman Damion Easley, who at age 39 continues to defy logic by hitting the ball well. In fact, as WFAN talkie Steve Somers pointed out during an interview, “You had to set a record with those three infield hits for oldest player.”

The Schmoozer has to be right. How in the world are the Mets a better team with Luis Castillo, who’s here another four years as DL fodder? Plus rookie Argenis Reyes has been a solid defensive backup who boasts much better range.
-Down in South Florida, the Marlins were routed by Atlanta 9-4 preventing a three-way first place tie. Gregor Blanco and Yunel Escobar each drove in three runs and Tim Hudson tossed six shutout frames striking out a batter per inning before leaving with an injury. Chipper Jones also left early due to a left hamstring strain. The veteran third baseman was 0-for-2 with an RBI but is still pacing the Senior Circuit with a .369 average. Remarkable.

-C.C. Sabathia continues to dominate for Milwaukee this time going the distance in a 3-0 blanking of St. Louis to pull the wild card-leading Brew Crew two games ahead of the Cards. J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun hit solo shots and the former Cleveland southpaw who won the AL Cy last year three-hit St. Louis walking a pair while K-ing seven. He tossed 106 pitches with 71 going for strikes. In four starts since switching leagues, he’s a perfect 4-0 with a 1.36 ERA completing three games and even hitting a home run. Is there anyone who still believes this wasn’t the right move for the Brewers even though they parted with a package which included top prospect Matt Laporta???

-Matt Holliday drove in a pair as the Rockies defeated the Dodgers 5-3 for their sixth win in seven making much traveled veteran southpaw Glendon Rusch a winner for the fourth time this season. I didn’t even know he still pitched. Brian Fuentes closed it out for save No.17 as Colorado improved to 45-58 which is now good enough to trail first place Arizona (50-51), who fell at home to the Cubs 10-6 by six games. The Dodgers meanwhile at three under (49-52) remained a game out. What a division. Who thinks I’m still crazy for believing the Rockies will comeback to take it?!?!?!?!?!?!

-The Red Sox got three runs in the 12th highlighted by a two-run Mike Lowell single in a 6-3 triumph over hapless Seattle sweeping the series to remain three up on the Yankees for the AL wild card. In a big series, Boston now gets a day off to travel back East to Fenway where they’ll host those red hot Yanks for three beginning tomorrow.

-Don’t look now but the Brewers have won seven in a row and sit just a game in back of the Cubs for the NL’s best record.

-Man. I don’t know about you but what the heck did the Hawks do so wrong after taking the eventual NBA champion Celtics seven to watch valuable sixth man Josh Childress leave for Greece?

-Final thought. Who decided that Wendy Williams should become a TV host? Just saying.

-The Yanks continued to roll earlier today defeating the Twins 5-1 at the Stadium sweeping the three-game set improving to a perfect 6-0 since the break. Rookie left fielder Justin Christian broke a scoreless tie with a two-run fifth inning double. That was enough support for veteran righty Mike Mussina, who continued his bounce back season tossing eight scoreless scattering six hits walking none and striking out seven to improve to 13-6 lowering his ERA to 3.26. The Yanks added three more runs in the sixth thanks to a two-run double by Alex Rodriguez plus a Richie Sexson sacrifice fly. After relief failure LaTroy Hawkins permitted Minnesota’s only run in the ninth, Mariano Rivera came on to get the final out striking out Jason Kubel looking for his 25th save.

-The Yankees couldn’t gain ground on the Rays, who edged the A’s 4-3 in St. Pete thanks to a solid eight and a third from James Shields allowing three earned before veteran Troy Percival got the final two outs for his 20th save. Johnny Gomes his his eighth home run and shortstop Ben Zobrist drove in a pair with a solo shot and RBI single which proved to be the difference.

-AL WC leader Boston is scoreless with Seattle in the second inning. They lead the Yanks by two and a half pending today’s outcome.

-The AL Central division leading White Sox got a multi-homer game from slugging first baseman Carlos Quentin, who slugged No’s 25 and 26 including a go-ahead three-run job in a five-run eighth as Chicago came back to defeat Texas 10-8. Quentin now leads the AL homers and his 76 rank second 22 behind major league leader Josh Hamilton, who took the collar in four trips whiffing three times. Chicago leads the Twins by two games.

-John Maine looks to get the Mets back on track against Brett Myers in a couple of hours at Shea after last night’s ninth inning debacle. It’s no secret that Johan Santana should have been in there to start the ninth. Though he only has six career complete games, yesterday was a situation which called upon the 29 year-old Venezuelan to go the distance. It didn’t sound like he was out of gas based on his answers following the game but Santana wouldn’t second guess Jerry Manuel. Most great pitchers want the ball in that spot. He threw the same amount of pitches (105) that a 10 year older Moose tossed earlier today in eight. The Mets needed to go for the jugular there.

-The base running mistakes by Endy Chavez getting tossed out at the plate twice thanks to faulty third base coaching from Sandy Alomar didn’t help which wasn’t the first time the latter erred. How does he still have a job? Neither did Phillies’ All-Star second baseman Chase Utley’s diving snag of a Fernando Tatis line drive to help his team escape a bases loaded jam in the seventh, which turned out to be the play of the game.

-If the Rockies can win again over the Dodgers, they’ll put even more pressure on Arizona. Who thinks the Cubs are getting swept?

-Update: Kevin Youkilis’ two-run third inning double has Boston ahead 2-0 over the Mariners.

-Listening to WFAN’s Tony Paige in his monologue of one of the worst Met losses and the overnight host is absolutely dead on about Johan Santana not being left in to start the ninth inning against the division rival Phillies. The Mets led 5-1 at one point until the former Twins’ AL Cy winner gave up a solo shot to Philly center fielder Shane Victorino in the seventh. Still, the Met ace on this night pitched like one getting through the eighth with a three-run lead intact. In fact, he had thrown just 105 pitches. You had to figure he had something left to maybe even finish what was the biggest game of the season at a packed Shea with first place up for grabs. Instead, on a night when he didn’t have Billy Wagner available (shoulder tightness), Jerry Manuel opted to pinch hit for Santana. Instead, he turned it over to Duaner Sanchez.

Paige took note of the intro of the AP game recap. One which is worth repeating:

When Jimmy Rollins saw New York reliever Duaner Sanchez come out to pitch the ninth inning instead of starter Johan Santana or closer Billy Wagner, he went straight to the batting tee to stay loose.

It didn’t matter that he was due up sixth and the Philadelphia Phillies trailed by three runs. He thought they had a chance.

The ever optimistic NL MVP was right.

You’d think by now some managers would learn. Especially when Wagner wasn’t around to close it out which meant Manuel was banking on Sanchez to come through in a different role. Instead, the setup man failed miserably giving up three straight base hits loading the bases forcing the interim skipper to pull him for second-year reliever Joe Smith. Smith closed games for the Single-A Cyclones a couple of years ago. Truthfully, it wasn’t his fault that Jose Reyes on a grounder missed the second base bag allowing a run to score and everyone to be safe. Still, he was out of the game replaced by lefty Pedro Feliciano. He’s been a fixture in seventh and eighth situations usually against lefties. Don’t believe me? Check the splits entering last night:

vs left .222

vs right .324

-The Yanks made it four straight out of the break last night cruising to a 12-4 win over the Twins. It was their eighth consecutive victory at the Stadium and kept them on pace with the first place Rays and Red Sox, who both also won. The Bronx Bombers hit three home runs including No.21 from Alex Rodriguez- a two-run shot in the home first. Robinson Cano continued his second half revival clocking his eighth finishing with a couple of hits, a couple of runs and two knocked in raising his average to .260. Team captain Derek Jeter even belted a solo shot for his sixth also driving in a pair as the Yanks knocked around the Twins tying them in the wild card standings with each now 55-45. It all came in support of Sidney Ponson, who went five and two thirds of three-run ball walking and fanning a couple en route to his fifth win.

-In other team related news, Jorge Posada’s season could be done as the veteran catcher who’s been battling a rotator cuff problem all year might need to go under the knife which would end his season. If both he and outfielder/DH Hideki Matsui both have surgery, it would further hurt a lineup which has struggled this summer lacking consistency. Though they did get back valuable leadoff man Johnny Damon, who went 1-for-4 with a double and run scored last night. If Posada is out, Brian Cashman might need to explore picking up another backstop to backup Jose Molina. Add that to a long list of needs which include another big bat, a starter and a lefty reliever.

-The Mets and Phillies get ready for their three-game series which begins tonight at Shea with Johan Santana taking on newly acquired Joe Blanton. Both are tied atop the NL East a game ahead of the Marlins, who got shutout 4-0 last night by Atlanta. Not many have given the south Florida team a chance to win the division yet they continue to hang around with roughly 10 weeks to go. If they continue to stay afloat, that young ballclub could start believing they can shock many and pull this off. The lineup is certainly potent enough with big bats Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, Mike Jacobs and Jorge Cantu. The question is do they have enough pitching? We’ll find out if the organization is willing to do what it takes to win.

-Mets closer Billy Wagner underwent an MRI which showed that he has a muscle spasm in his left shoulder. He felt the tightness while warming up the other night to close out the Reds by K-ing the side. If he misses any time, expect Jerry Manuel to give the ball to Duaner Sanchez.

-Do we really need to know that A-Rod signed with William Morris agency for his off the field stuff? When is enough enough?

-I liked Jeremy Shockey as I’m a huge Hurricanes fan and enjoyed what he brought to the Giants. However, all the tight end’s childish antics got tiresome and that’s why he’s no longer playing in New York. They probably won’t miss him much in that locker room but it remains to be seen if that will be the case on the field when they begin their Super Bowl defense.

-The Yanks continued to play well out of the All-Star Break edging the A’s 2-1 on Jason Giambi’s seventh inning solo shot (20th) sweeping the three-game set in the Bronx allowing Joe Girardi’s club to get within four and a half of the Rays, who fell at home to the Blue Jays 9-4. Andy Pettite continued his turnaround outdueling AL All-Star Justin Duchscherer going eight innings allowing just one earned on four hits while not walking a batter and fanning nine to pickup his 11th victory.

The rival Red Sox are currently knotted at two apiece in the sixth looking to avoid a sweep in Los Angeles versus the Angels. A loss would allow the Bronx Bombers to pull within three of the wild card.

Giambi finished a perfect 2-for-2 reaching base all four times with a couple of walks along with the deciding home run to right off Duchscherer, who entered 10-5 with a 1.82 ERA. Once a key late inning reliever for Oakland, the 30 year-old out of Aberdeen, San Diego has made a seamless transition to the rotation becoming the team’s most reliable starter. Before this season, he had only started five games in his career with a couple coming with Texas back in 2001. A couple of years ago, he even saved nine games while fanning nearly a batter per inning (51 in 55.2). Now, he’s the ace of their staff with Rich Harden (Chc) and Joe Blanton (Phi) dealt to NL contenders for more prospects.

If only his team had a semblance of an offense. Somehow, they’re four over .500 (51-47) but trailing the Halos by eight and a half pending the game out West.

Maybe the A’s were just what the doctor ordered for the Yanks, who haven’t hit the way expected with Hideki Matsui possibly needing knee surgery and leadoff man Johnny Damon on the DL for the first time in his career pushing to return. It’s not like they scored a ton of runs the past two days following a 7-1 win in the opener. But they did what they had to to set the tone for another second half October drive.

Only with two teams in their division ahead of them making it an even more difficult challenge over the next couple of months.

-Meanwhile in Cincinnati, the Mets avoided losing three straight to the Reds by coming back to pull out a 7-5 10 inning win. Their hottest starter Mike Pelfrey didn’t have it today giving up three homers (entered with only four allowed all year) including Edwin Encarnacion’s tying fourth inning blast rallying the Reds from 4-1 down and All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips’ sixth inning go-ahead solo shot. But resurgent first base slugger Carlos Delgado drove home the tying run the next half inning with a runscoring single making extras a possibility.

Though the Amazin’s blew a chance in the top of the ninth with Carlos Beltran caught stealing third, they took advantage of the only miscue of the game committed by Encarnacion, whose throwing error allowed call-up Robinson Cancel, who doubled as a pinch hitter to score the winning run. It also let Jose Reyes advance to third and score an insurance run on a Delgado sac fly.

Billy Wagner struck out the side in the 10th including blowing an elevated heated past rookie center fielder Jay Bruce for his 24th save allowing the Mets to tie the Phils for first once again because they fell to Florida 3-2 on a Jorge Cantu walkoff base hit.

The Mets will host the Phillies for a huge three-game series at Shea starting Tuesday with ace Johan Santana going against new Phillie pickup Blanton. The other series match-ups include returning Brett Myers from a Triple-A stint facing John Maine and a battle between old and young lefties with crafty vet Jamie Moyer taking on Oliver Perez.

Winning the last two games, the Marlins sit half a game back and will play host to the struggling Braves for three beginning tomorrow.

-With four hits, his 33rd stolen base and 11th triple of the season, Mets shortstop Jose Reyes now has a club record 63 three-baggers for his career surpassing Mookie Wilson. Forty have come in the past three years.

-It’s too bad about Greg Norman shooting a 77 to finish tied for third in the British Open after making a bid to become the oldest PGA player to win a major. Oh well. The dream ended but he still has had a good year marrying former American tennis star Chris Evert. Padraig Harrington might’ve repeated as British champ but the comebacking 53 year-old part-time golfer was the story of the weekend. He made it interesting without Tiger.

-Interesting story written in today’s Sunday News by Filip Bondy on David Beckham’s MLS impact where attendance and jersey sales are up and included more than 46,000 at Giants Stadium to check out the second-year British star’s Galaxy battling the Red Bulls to an entertaining 2-2 tie last night. It’s a good read.

-I hope when I see Dark Knight this week, I’m as blown away as everyone else was by the late and gone too soon Heath Ledger’s Joker.

-You know. All the talk about Ledger’s performance and then dying sort of reminds me of Brandon Lee in The Crow. Only difference was he died while shooting a scene when they discovered that those weren’t blanks near the dramatic conclusion of one of the better movies I’ve seen. What ashame that Sarah played by the promising Rochelle Davis never returned to another set again following his tragic death. As good as the acting was by everyone in the only Crow there should’ve been made, she was great as the victim’s younger sister and looked to have a bright future. Such was the impact of Lee’s death on the young actress.

-With the Knicks playing in Las Vegas for their usual summer tournament, this is the high for Knick fans. Where running the table last year and winning the championship was universally celebrated. Not exactly the vision of a third NBA title every normal local hoop fan had in mind.

-It’s already been a week too long without Bobby Murcer.

-The Yanks got a big win coming from behind to pull out a 4-3 victory in 12 innings. Joba Chamberlain gave up only a run in six innings while fanning eight. Mariano Rivera came into a tie game and allowed a go-ahead Ryan Sweeney RBI single to the opposite field. He’s allowed of five of six runs when entering in tie game this season. But the Yanks got off the deck helping out their best player by rallying to tie with two outs. Jason Giambi drew a leadoff walk but pinch runner Justin Christian stumbled while having second stolen and was tagged out. Then Jorge Posada grounded out weakly to first for the second out against A’s closer Huston Street. But when it seemed over, hot hitting Robinson Cano laced an opposite field double to keep it going. Down 0-2, the much criticized Wilson Betemit delivered the tying it by waiting on an offspeed pitch and going to left field allowing Cano to come in. The Yanks nearly won it when Melky Cabrera hit a single to put runners on the corners but rookie Brett Gardner popped out. A couple of innings later, Cabrera was robbed of the winner on a sparkling diving catch by right fielder Carlos Gonzalez going full extension. Pinch hitter Richie Sexson struckout swinging to end it. Getting great relief from Edwar Ramirez (2 scoreless, 4 K’s) and rookie David Robertson (1 scoreless, K), the Yanks finally won it by loading the bases in the 12th and watching backup catcher Jose Molina get plunked by Lenny DiNardo forcing in the winner. It gave them a huge come from behind win making it only the second instance this season the Bronx Bombers have rallied after eight innings when trailing. Their record now is 2-40 in those situations.

-The Mets had their 10-game win streak snapped last night falling to the Reds 5-2 with another ineffective outing from John Maine. Though they lost a game to the Phils in the standings, it looks like they’ll have a chance to tie them again for first cause at last check, Philadelphia was trailing the Marlins 7-4 with Florida threatening for more. The Marlins have three homers including No.24 from Dan Uggla. Pat Burrell also has his 24th for the Phils.

-The Red Sox are clinging to a 2-1 lead out West against the Angels in the seventh. The Halos have the bases juiced with one out against Josh Beckett.

Update: A bases clearing double from rookie shortstop Erick Aybar makes it a four-run inning which was started by Vlad Guerrero’s 16th to lead it off. Boston entered a half game behind Tampa, who ended their seven-game skid with a 2-1 last night over the Blue Jays. They’re five ahead of the Yanks for the wildcard.

-Excuse me but I thought Greg Norman stopped playing competitive golf. Somehow, he takes a two shot lead into the final round of the British Open trying to become the oldest major champion in PGA history at 53. I always was a big fan of him. So here’s hoping he finds a way to close the deal on Sunday.

-Coco Crisp just made an amazing acrobatic catch against the wall going full out to rob an Angel of another hit and RBI. He was hobbled. Tremendous play which definitely will make Baseball Tonight’s web gems.

-We’re headed to the ballpark by the Ferry Terminal to check out the Verrazano rivalry between the Cyclones and first place Staten Island Yankees. See ya later!

-The Mets cameback to pull out a 10-8 win scoring four times in the ninth with one out against Reds’ closer Francisco Cordero to win their 10th in a row pulling into a first place tie with the idle Phillies. Even with ace Johan Santana laying an egg by giving back a 2-0 lead off the bat of Carlos Delgado while permitting five in the fourth including two more homers allowed (that’s 16 people), it didn’t matter because the Amazin’s kept battling back against a hapless Cincinnati staff getting a two-run shot from Fernando Tatis which tied it a couple of innings later. David Wright had gotten it started with a two-run single in the fifth. Appropriately, the Mets’ third baseman would get the huge tying hit after the Reds went ahead, going the opposite field off Cordero for a two-run shot (No.18). Sadly, even though Cordero entered with good numbers, anyone who knows the game knows he can’t be trusted. That Wright was allowed to hit his third best pitch (a fat slider) for the tying dinger summed it up. The Amazin’s then strung together four more consecutive hits including a go-ahead Delgado RBI single to left followed by a Tatis double which capped the comeback. Billy Wagner retired the Reds in order for his 23rd save.

-With there only being eight teams in action on the first night back from the All-Star Break, the Phillies bolstered their rotation by overpaying for A’s starter Joe Blanton coughing up a couple of top prospects including pitcher Josh Outman, second baseman Adrian Cardenas and outfielder Matt Spencer. How did Oakland get so much for a pitcher who was 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA and 12 dingers served up?!?!?!?!?! They got garbage for Rich Harden from the Cubs but that’s cause he’s a DL spot waiting to happen. The Phillies better hope Blanton is rejuvenated coming to the Senior Circuit.

-I’ve said it before that I never bought Santana as the best pitcher in the game. Most of my buddies argued it but come on. There’s no debating this. The former Twin who won two AL Cy Youngs is living on his past reputation. He’s still a quality starter who can go seven or eight but let’s face it. He’s now given up 49 home runs in the last year and a half. Far from what you expect from the “game’s best.” I’ll take Brandon Webb, Roy Halladay, Jake Peavy, Josh Beckett and Carlos Zambrano over him. Just remember. The Mets are paying top dollar for the next few years when Johan will be in his 30’s. Think he’s going to be worth it?

-The Yankees agreeing in principle to sign Mariners’ failure Richie Sexson is just another quick fix. If it works, they got him for nothing. In all likelihood, it won’t and they’ll still have to go out and acquire another big bat.

-Does anyone think Luis Castillo would’ve come through with that big one out basehit that rookie Argenis Reyes did in that spot?

-Kyle Lohse is now 12-2 with a 3.35 ERA for the Cards after winning again working seven solid innings permitting a couple of runs. It just proves once again how good a pitching coach Dave Duncan is. Bet the Phils didn’t bank on that happening.

-3B Trade comparison:

Troy Glaus (Stl) 95 GP, .279-17-61*
Scott Rolen (Tor) 70 GP, .267-6-28

*hit 2 HR tonight

How does J.P. Riccardi keep his job?

-The folks over at Hot 97 get it about the overblown Jesse Jackson comments and had some interesting observations about oil and gas prices being way up with President George W. Bush in office. Coincidence? If you think so, then hey. The tooth fairy must be real instead of imaginary.

Just my two cents.

-Last night, the Clippers acquired center Marcus Camby from the Nuggets for a 2010 second round pick. Apparently, Denver decided to go in a different direction dealing away the 34 year-old shot blocking big man who led the NBA with 3.61 blocks-per-game last season. The former UMass star played six seasons with the Nuggets after coming over from the Knicks as part of the Antonio McDyess debacle. He also averaged 9.1 PPG and 13.1 boards logging a career high 34.9 minutes.

For the Clippers who lost their best player Elton Brand to the 76ers, it’s understandable why they made the move as it allows them to get a solid replacement and team the defensive oriented Camby with Chris Kaman and new point guard Baron Davis. They’re coming off a dismal 23-59 season- the worst in eight years. So, it was a no-brainer to upgrade the roster in hopes of doubling their win total and possibly making the playoffs in a very crowded West. Still, you wonder if a team with Davis, Camby and Kaman can seriously compete in the Spring.

Did they just do this as a quick fix or because they actually believe they can go far? I believe it’s choice A. Let’s face it. The Clippers have never been about winning. They’re always going to play second fiddle to the Lakers playing in the same area and arena. So, just being able to compete is good enough. If I were a Clips fan, I don’t think I’d be too excited. Sure. They improved. But how much? Perhaps they win a round. They’re not better than the Lakers, Spurs, Jazz or Hornets. And figure the Blazers to be much improved if Greg Oden comes back healthy. It will still be an uphill climb just to make the postseason.

As for the Nuggets, they get the option to swap second round picks in 2010 just so they can get a $10 million trade exception. Funny but didn’t the Knicks turn down a similar deal from the same team for waste of cap space Zach Randolph? So much for the problems at Team Dumb and Dumber Clown Mgt 101 going away with Lord Isiah out of the picture.

At the moment, the Nuggets still have electrifying scoring duo Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. The question is is Rex Chapman looking to rip apart the team and start over? If so, then expect more moves to follow for a team that’s done nothing but disappoint in the first round. At least they’re admitting it’s not good enough. The Clippers apparently are satisfied if they reach that point. It could always be worse. They could be the Knicks.

-Nice pickup by the Hornets inking sharp shooter James Posey to a $25 million, four-year deal. He was an excellent role player off the championship Celtics and should fit in nicely giving Chris Paul another perimeter option. Something which was badly needed. The 31 year-old veteran forward has necessary championship experience winning two rings with Miami (2005-06) and of course Boston (2007-08). This is a smart move.

-If Hideki Matsui does need surgery on his knee, then the Yanks should be expected to step up their search for a slugging outfielder. Would they be interested in Matt Holliday or will the cost be too steep? Seattle’s Raul Ibanez has always been an overlooked player who wouldn’t cost as much. Another possible option which would be an upgrade for first and utility is Cleveland veteran Casey Blake. Blake can play first, third and outfield and is a decent bat. Let’s see how smart Brian Cashman is.

-With Moises Alou’s season pretty much done, figure the Mets also to be in the market for a slugging outfielder. Though it’s hard to justify doing much right now given how well they’re playing. Still, ex-Met Xavier Nady should be on their radar as will Ibanez and Holliday.

-Watching Dan Uggla try to field at second base was like watching a beginner. Heck. Little leaguers could’ve made those plays.

-Perhaps I’m a minority here but does anyone still care about Roger Clemens?

-Just once I’d like to see Alex Rodriguez (seen here) look like he’s enjoying himself. Have you ever seen a more uncomfortable superstar in any sport? It wouldn’t hurt to loosen up instead of looking a certain way as if everything he does has to be choreographed.

-Did anyone really buy that Brett Favre would call it quits after such a good season last year? The 38 year-old Mr. Packer goofed when he announced his retirement. Imagine a competitor like Favre saying goodbye after leading his team to a 13 wins and the NFC Title Game. And given how they lost with him tossing a costly Int which setup the Jay Feely’s winning kick at Lambeau, you had to figure he’d want another crack at it. Favre has no one to blame but himself.

-Could the NFL (No Fun League) make up their minds already about Ahmad Bradshaw?!?!?!?!?!

-A couple of weeks later and it finally set in just how special that Wimbledon final between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer was. That will be hard to top for a very long time even if they do meet in other slams.

-Not many care here but international soccer star Ronaldhino transferring from Barcelona to AC Milan is a pretty huge deal in Europe. The 28 year-old Brazilian scoring forward went for 21 million euros or the equivalent of $33.5 million. Can you imagine a star athlete being sold for that much here? Only one comes to mind and that was The Babe from Boston to the Yankees and we all know how that went. Just tells you how different the world of soccer is. If you think there’s pressure on players and coaches here, try following the game of soccer where so much is riding on almost every game with intense media scrutiny. It really does dwarf anything which comes under a microscope here including the A-Rod day-to-day saga.

-Speaking of which, does any other Yankee fan feel like they’ll never win championship No.27 as long as No.13 wears Pinstripes? He’s too much of a distraction. They would’ve been better off letting him walk.

-Red Wings-Blackhawks from Wrigley in the next Winter Classic on New Year’s Day 2009 will be one you won’t want to miss. Especially if it’s anything like the first one between the Pens and Sabres. This is one of the best ideas the NHL has ever had and should continue becoming a tradition which is exactly what the league could use.

-It’s July 16 and Wilson Betemit of a .268 OBP still holds a major league roster spot on the Yankees.

-Like many, I didn’t realize how hurt Tiger Woods was in winning the U.S. Open this past Monday. Who knew how far golf’s best would go just to return to the golf course and partake in another major, winning a historic 14th? It’s hard to believe that he was able to play all 91 holes including the dramatic playoff sudden death where he edged buddy Rocco Mediate for a third U.S. Open. I’m not going to say I’m an avid golf fan or a big Tiger supporter after how he dissed the Stanley Cup. However, his performance was not only heroic but one of the most courageous things ever in sports. It’s true that golfers don’t take the physicality of say football, hockey or even basketball or baseball. But to think he’d return prematurely against doctors’ wishes when they said he needed to shut it down for three more weeks tells you all you need to know about Tiger’s competitive fire. When I first heard him explain after winning that he couldn’t give up with all the supporters watching, I thought it was just a typical phony answer. But that proved to be otherwise as it was discovered that he would need reconstructive ACL knee surgery and will miss the rest of the PGA season. Even more amazing is that according to ESPN’s SportsCenter, Woods’ walked over 21 miles on the greens just to complete his 14th major championship. When you have a bad knee like he did, that is far from easy. He said it would go down as one of his top two majors. I have to beg to differ. For me, it’s No.1 on the list. And he did it as a first time father too. A tip of the cap to the greatest golfer I’ve ever seen. Congrats to him and best wishes for a speedy recovery as he chases Jack Nicklaus.

-You know. Lost amidst all the deserved criticism Mets management is receiving for their awful mishandling of Willie Randolph’s firing is that they’re just four and a half behind the suddenly struggling Phillies for the division. And three in the loss column. Omar Minaya did come off like a puppet at that bizarre press conference explaining the ridiculous timing after one road game which was the final ‘W’ under Willie. But the move had to be made because the questions only would’ve lingered hanging over the players’ heads. The pressure’s off even if it’s on because they no longer have to worry about who’s managing them. Now they can just go out and play baseball under Jerry Manuel which is the best thing they’ve needed all season. As I’ve echoed before in this space, this under .500 ballclub after last night’s 7-1 loss in Colorado is perfectly capable of going on a run and overtaking the Phils for the NL East. They boast the better staff and have enough talented hitters in that lineup to compete with anyone. The choice is theirs.

-So much for the Yanks’ seven-game win streak, huh? How do you lose two at home to the hapless Reds? It’s getting more difficult to take them seriously. Especially if the Rays keep winning. Tell you something else. Derek Jeter better get it going soon. He and Robinson Cano haven’t produced. When Melky Cabrera has more homers than both, that’s not a good sign.

-Mike Mussina has really pitched unreal this season and deserves a spot on the AL All-Star squad at the Stadium. It’s amazing to think how well he’s pitching at age 39 when he looked all done last year.

-I still say that Jose Reyes can carry the Mets back in it. There are few players who can impact the game more.

-Novak Djokovic sure has a big mouth for someone who’s won one grand slam. He beat Roger Federer at less than 100 percent back in January. You don’t think the rating five-time Wimbledon champion wants revenge if they meet in another slam semi? Here’s hoping Roger kicks the Serbian’s ass.

-It’s finally okay to tell the Lakers to guard a wide open Celtic. Jack Nicholson would’ve put up a better fight in Game Six.

-We’re back up and running after a three-day hiatus. I apologize for the inconvenience as my pc was in the shop. Well, at least we got it back in one piece pretty thrifty.

-The NBA has gotten its wish as the dream Lakers/Celtics Finals is upon us after Boston outscored Detroit 29-13 in the fourth quarter to eliminate the Pistons 89-81 in Game Six at The Palace. A jubilant Paul Pierce couldn’t contain himself yelling to ESPN sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya how he waited 10 long years for this. The Celts’ leading scorer who put together a solid night shooting 8-for-12 from the floor with 27 points, eight boards and three assists also spoke of how as a kid he followed those classic LA/Boston series which got him into basketball. Definitely a dream come true. Especially for a player who’s been there his entire career through good and bad. Now, Pierce and teammates Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen will go for the whole marbles against league MVP Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. Bryant finished off the defending champion Spurs by exploding for 17 of a game high 39 in the fourth quarter the night before in leading Los Angeles back from 17 down ousting San Antonio 100-92 in Game Five at Staples Center.

It all should be pretty exciting as the league’s top two seeds will meet in a throwback NBA Finals Edition. Sure. It’s new players including Bryant supporting cast ‘mates Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. And only Kobe has similar kind of appeal to what Magic and Bird did back in the heyday when Lakers-Celts was pretty common. Of course, Magic had James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar while Larry Legend had Kevin McHale and Robert Parish.

The other notable difference is that a couple of decades later, you have different buildings involved. No longer will it be the feared Boston Garden against The Great Western Forum. Instead, it’s been replaced by TD Banknorth Garden and the Staples Center. There’s also ABC covering the Finals instead of CBS. And somehow, that just doesn’t feel right. But hey. Much has changed since the Lakers and Celtics last met for all the marbles in 1987 when Magic led LA past Bird.

So, will it be a good series? I’d have to say yeah cause you got the two best teams and an old rivalry suddenly renewed. And no. The two Boston regular season wins mean zilch. I only wish this anticipated match-up was starting a little earlier. Much like the NHL though, the NBA is taking an extended break before the series starts up next Thursday on ABC. Why such a long layoff? This is something I’ll never comprehend.

Anyway, again it’s nice to be back. And we’ll have more stuff later!